The Weightier Matters…

Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.


In Matthew 23:23 we find this term, “the weightier matters of the law”. What is meant by this term in the context of the passage? What does this have to do with me or you today?

Let us first look at these terms: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Justice: This term refers to dealing with people and situations in a righteous manner. This infers that we are not to take sides or be unduly influenced. We are to deal out judgment in a God fearing manner. If judgment is required one must make sure the punishment fits the crime. Judging things objectively by God’s standards not mans, not trying to life up ourselves at others expense.

Mercy: This term speaks of compassion, kindness, pity, and empathy. The application of justice must be tempered with mercy. Consider the mercy that God has shown to you as you deal with others. Intertwined in acts of mercy is the principle of godly forgiveness. Not based on a person merit but their underserved needs.

Faithfulness: This word relates to our beliefs translated into actions. This is a type of belief that effects and permeates every aspect of your life. It is belief in that what God has shown us in His word and love is far better than the temporal pleasures of this passing world. One who is faithful will act in loving justice and mercy as they serve the risen Lord.

It is of note that the first two words pertain mainly to our relationships toward other people. The last word refers to our relationship to the Holy God. These are the principle foundations of God’s Law. Loving God first and foremost, and then loving your neighbor as yourself.

The religious leaders by their omission of the “weightier matters” were blocking the way to know the Lord. They had created a god of their own making to serve their own interest. The ramifications were staggering on those who sought to know and truly understand God.

Matthew 23:13 " But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

These weightier things must be given our full attention. If God considers them of great importance should we not take note? Justice, mercy, and faith are the essential and fundamental characteristics of the servant of God. These have never changed. These principles are as true today as ever

In Luke 11:42 we find a parallel passage. It describes mercy as the love of God.

If you do not show the love of God to those people in your daily life, How can the love of God abide in your heart?

Luke 11: 42 "But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

This is a timeless theme throughout God’s word. God’s people will reflect God’s character. It is the mercy of God that saves one from His righteous judgment. It is the faithfulness of God towards us that keeps our salvation from failing.

Micah 6:7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

God’s mercy and faithfulness towards the repentant broken sinner is humbling. We deserve God’s righteous judgment, but yet He loved us while we were yet in sin. If you withhold mercy and justice from others, if you walk in the pride of self-righteousness, you as the Pharisees will lead people away from the kingdom of God. You will not only bring judgment and condemnation on yourself but the blood of others will be on your head as well.

Proverbs 22:2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

Be sure you do not neglect the weightier matters of God’s law. But rather let the hope and love of Christ overflow in your life into the lives of others. Give them the hope of the springs of living water.

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14ut whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

sherman

But God being rich in mercy… (Part 4)

Ephesians2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

We find in Daniel 4:28-37 the story of Nebuchadnezzar. God judged him for his pride and refusal to acknowledge God as the source of his position and power. God placed him into a state anyone would judge as insane. He remained that way until God restored him to his right mind.
In verse 35 he says “And no one can ward off His hand”. This was the most powerful man in the world yet he was unable to control or resist God’s actions. He is sovereign.

What does this have to do with the scripture at hand? Much. This story illustrates the regeneration of Ephesians 2. This is the point. Even when we were dead we were made alive. We couldn’t change our state neither could we resist the change. In much the same manner when Nebuchadnezzar was given back his sanity there is no way he would or could have chosen to go back into his insanity.

But God being rich in mercy…this is the reason behind your salvation if you belong to Christ. Not your superior intellect, your wiser decision making, not your expansive cranial cavity. No it is all of God, nothing from within you.

This doctrine is extremely important. It will affect your view of everything in scripture and in this world. It will either be God centered or man centered. God the Father purposed your salvation from eternity past, the Son accomplished your redemption on the cross validated by His resurrection, and The Holy Spirit has applied that salvation to your soul. Christ died particularly for His elect. And if it is His work it is finished. There is no chance that you can mess it up. This is the real rest that God speaks of in Hebrews 3 and 4.

God’s sovereignty is responsible for your salvation. It is because of His great mercy and compassion exercised toward us. God deserves all of the glory honor and praise for your salvation.


Isaiah 42:8"I am the LORD, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.

It doesn’t end there. God brought from death into life for a purpose. We
are not saved by any good works even those God has prepared for us in
eternity past [Ephesians 2:10]. This is all the work of God.

You do not have to understand God’s sovereignty to get saved. But
afterwards looking back at the how and why it certainly puts a different
perspective on the act of salvation unto eternal life.

Now go forth and do these good works that God has prepared for you. It
is to share the love of God with others. The Holy Spirit is shed aboard
in our hearts not so that we can keep it to our selves. God always uses
means to accomplish His sovereign will. The question really is will you
obey God and live a life that brings glory and honor to His name? His
will is accomplished with or without our cooperation. Where man rules
God overrules!

sherman